Slicing machine feed apparatus



22, 1964 M. E. TOBY ETAL 3,162,226

SLICING MACHINE FEED APPARATUS Filed Dec. 14, 1962 Fig.1..

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 22, 1964 TOBY T 3,162,226

LICING MACHINE FEED APPARATUS Filed Dec. 14, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2l/VVENTORS MAX ,5. roay a DA/V/EL .z roar ATTORNEYS v Q ZM W Dec. 22,1964 M. E. TOBY ETAL SLICING MACHINE FEED APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 75T'iq.4.

Filed Dec. 14, 1962 27 ,2/ m //VVENTOR.$ 3/ MAX 5. rosy z flA/V/EL J. 75

ww k

AT TOR/V575 22, 1964 M. E. TOBY ETAL 3,162,226

SLICING MACHINE FEED APPARATUS Filed Dec. 14, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4selective lateral positioning relative to the slicer.

United States Patent Ofilicc 3,162,226 Patented Dec. 22, 1964 3,162,226SLICING MACHINE FEED APPARATUS Max E. Toby and Daniel J. Toby, SanFrancisco, Calif assignors to Toby Enterprises, San Francisco, Calif., acorporation of California Filed Dec. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 244,796 11(liaims. (Cl. 14695) This invention relates generally to machines andmethods for slicing material, and is more particularly directed towardsapparatus for feeding an elongated loaf of meat or the like into aslicing apparatus.

In Patent No. 2,752,968, issued July 3, 1956, entitled MaterialAdvancing and Slicing Machine, there is disclosed an apparatus forcutting a plurality of slices from a loaf of luncheon meat or the like.This prior slicing machine, co-invented by one of the instant inventors,generally included a rotary cutting blade adapted for periodic rotaryslicing movement in a plane generally perpendicular to a feed table onwhich the loaf of meat was placed. In order to incrementally advance theloaf towards the blade so as to produce uniform slices of predeterminedthickness, a back feed clamp was provided and adapted to grasp therearmost portion of the loaf and advance or push it towards the blade.This prior arrangement has a disadvantage in that it is necessary toreturn the back feed clamp to its starting position prior to inserting anew loaf for slicing. Accordingly, time is lost for each cycle ofoperation while the machine is being reset. A further disadvantage withthe prior machine is that an unusable thick slice of meat is left at theend of each loaf, this being the portion into which the hooks of themeat clamp are secured. This end slice, generally over /2 inch thick,must accordingly be reprocessed or dissynchronously towards the blade,whereby a loaf of meat can be engaged between these portions andincrementally fed into the slicer. Consequently, aplurality of loavescan be fed continuously one after another into engagement with theconveyors without having to reset the feed apparatus for each loaf. Theconveyors are adjustable in their spacing relative to one another, sothat loaves of varying thickness can be properly gripped by theconveyors for positive nonslip movement towards the blade.

' In addition, adjustable side clamp means are provided to guide theloaf properly between the conveyors. A further feature of the inventionrelates to support means pro vided adjacent the cutter blade forretaining the end portions of each loaf after they. are no longerengaged by the conveyors. Such means includes a support bar that movesin generally the same plane as the cutter blade,

and which prevents the small end portion of the loaf from falling looseeach time the slicer blade disengages I the loaf end. As a result, thewastage from each loaf is reduced to a minimum, and consequently extraslices are produced from each loaf than is capable with prior apparatus;The conveyors are also made adjustable for Be cause different types ofmaterials composing the loaves give them different consistencies, theaction of the blade slicing through various loaves may cause the meatslice,

By laterally adjusting the the slicing machine, regardless of theconsistency of the loaf.

Accordingly, a main object of the present invention is to provide noveland improved feed mechanism for slicing apparatus whereby loaves ofsliceable material can be continuously fed towards the cutting bladewithout interruption, thereby reducing the time and steps involved inautomatic slicing operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the characterdescribed in which means are provided to reduce to a minimum the amountof wastage for each loaf of material sliced.

A further object of this invention is to provide feed apparatusas abovedefined that is readily removable from the slicing machine for easycleaning and maintenance.

Still another object of our invention is to provide apparatus of thetype described that is easily adjusted to accommodate loaves of varyingdiameter or thickness.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide feed apparatus of thecharacter described that is adjustable so that the loaf may be properlyoriented relative to the slicer blade and the cut slices will beaccordingly properly deposited on a counting and weighing mechanism,irrespective of the consistency of the loaf.

Referring to said drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of a slicing machine embodying thefeed apparatus of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view taken along the plane 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along theplane 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane 4-4 of FIGURE2.

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane 55 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the plane 66of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the plane 7-7of FIGURE 4.

Referring now to the drawings, the feed apparatus of the presentinvention is shown operatively associated with a generally conventionalslicing mechanism, as for eX- ample, a slicer of the type disclosed insaid Patent 2,752,968. Such a slicer includes a circular slicing blade11 adapted for rotation on itsaxis and generally mounted on a frame 12.More specifically, the blade 11 is mounted eccentrically on a rotaryhead member (not shown) whereby the blade itself is moved in an orbitalpath relative to the axis of the head member. Rotation of the headbrings the independently rotating blade down and across a loaf,imparting a slashing cut thereto, and

then raises the blade to disengage it from the loaf. A

more detailed description of the cutting blade, head member, and drivemeans of the slicing mechanism is set forth in the aforesaid patent, butis not elaborated on herein as they form no part-of the presentinvention.

With respect to the instant feed apparatus for bringing a loaf intoposition for the slicing operation, there is provided a bottom conveyormeans 13 spaced below a top conveyor means 14, both being disposedgenerally adjacent the blade 11. As best viewed in FIGURES 3 and 4, aloaf 16 of meat or the like can be engaged on its upper and lowersurfaces by the spaced conveyors and thereby fed towards the blade. Aside guide. clamp 17, is shown in FIGURE 3, is laterally adjustable tooperate in conjunction with a spaced stationary guide bar 18 to engageopposite sides of the loaf to thereby keep the loaf centered withintheconveyor means.

In more detail, the frame 12 preferably includes three generallyelongated spaced support rods 19, 21 and 22 extending substantiallyperpendicularly from the plane of the cutting blade 11. A pair of crossbars 23 and 24 are disposed transversely between the rods 19 and 21 andspaced longitudinally thereon. The bar 23 has a pair of blocks 26 and 27adjacent its ends, with these blocks being mounted onthe rods 19 and 21.The bar 24 is similarly mounted on rods'19 and 21'by means of blocks -28and 29. As shown in FIGURE 5, abracket 31 is mounted on the bar 23fon'slidable movementtthereon.

A similar bracket 32' is slidably. mounted on'the cross w bar 24, withthe-brackets 31'and t32 being joinedltogether by a-pair oflongitudinally extending rods 33:and. 34. 7 IA 7 generally" elongatedbottomtrackL member '36, forming a part of the bottom conveyor 13,-islremovably mounted bracket 31 to translate along the bar ,23. Amanually engageable knob 43 is providedon the end ofshaft 38 tofacilitate rota'tion thereof, whereby the lateral positionof the-trackmemberiidis readily adjusted.

- Withregardto the-top conveyor tmeans 14, a generally -upwardlyextendingsu'pport rod '44 is ;mounted adjacent V v j one side oftheitrack memberw36, as' best seen in FIG-i URES 4 and 5, and has aslidablebracket member'46 I mounted; thereon. A-top track t-member 47,forming a part of ithe top conveyon lt, is pivotally'mounted on thebracket'46 and adaptedtforypivotal movement about an 7 axis generallyparallel to the cross bar 23. Y The top,

' track; as-"showm is preferably shorter than the bottom form- .aremoved gravitationally into; the-instant feed aptrack. A shaft 48is'pivotally' supported by a portion 49 -of-the bracket 46y'with. atransversely extending member 51 being secured to the shaft48=andradapted for rotationitherewith. The-.topztrackmembefi 47issecured to the member 51 and subjacent thereto i A stop plate 52 is'mounted tolthe bracket :46; in overlying relation with the side 53 ofthe .track 47,-and has a pair of spaced'depending-studs54rand 56iinconfronting relation with the side 53 on either sidefof the pivot'shaft48. Accordingly, t the rotational "movement" of the track47 is limitedby mthelstuds- 54:and 56,= and: i s restrainted to anormal posi-ztionsubstantially parallel withfthe'bottom track 36. i A I Lipair: ofcoilsprings 57 and 558 are mou'nt'ed respectively 1, on the-two' studsfor 'resiliently'ur'ging the track 47 into u its parallel position. leispreferred that-the track '47 be xpivotally mountedsubstantially.medially-of its two ends, as' shown in"'FIGURE-' V4.

- The tracks 36 and47-areeach adapted toreceive mov- "able conveyor-members thereon; and e as here illustrated,

- a fiexible' chain 59' is disposed longitudinally around the bottom'track s', andfa sirhilar chain 611$ disposed around, -the'top track lfi;A pairsofroller-sprockets :62'and1t63 1 f are rotatably 'supportedadjacentlthe ends'ofth'e bottom ---tracl --36,-with' the 'chain 59engagingthe'sprockets for, -rnovement therewith. The'f-r ontisprocket 62preferably is driven; thus serving to drive the' chain 59; A similar jpair of sprockets 64 and 66 are mounted t on" the" top track"47,- withthe frontr'sprocketfi iserving asthe drive sprocket. LIt'is n'oted'that'elongated grooves '67 qarefexxtended 'along'the supporting surfaces of't-the" tracks '36' and 47,- in order to retain the: protuding link'portions'of therespectivechainsm Similar grooves168*are'alsdprovid'ed-bneach of the roller sprockets for the'same purpose.

I To adjust the -;relative' spacing between the" conveyors 13 and 14,so'as to accommodaterditferent sizes of loaves,

' shaft a bracket-- veyors. A coil-spring 76 is disposed around theshaft '71 and interposed between the plate 69 and a' shoulder 77 on theshaft 71', whereby the track 47 is allowed to move resiliently upwardlyagainst the force of the spring '76 to accommodate varying'heights orthickness in the loaves.

A crank handle78-yis provided for manual-rotation of ftheshaft 7'1.

Foruthe purpose of gripping thee'nd portion of a .loaf,

iiafterithzls passed through and isno longer engaged by theconveyor-chains 59 and 61,1the' track members each have a plurality ofrestraining meanssuch as elements -79c.disposed.-in confronting. opposedrelationship: on the .endsiof the track members adjacent the blade 11.As best-seeninFIGUREA, the tracks 36 and'.47 respectively includetransversely extending end-members81and 82 disposedat thetend ofeach:tra'ck. Theses end members are secured to the centralportion ofeach trackby longitudinally. extending side membersfSS, which f'orm asubstan'tiallyrintegral part of the respective tracks, and the knifeelements 79 are secured .to the members fil and 82. #Meansu'areprovidedfor, guidingtheloaves into the the sprocket ifl,{aridsubstantially coplanar with the portions\.0f the chains 59disposed; on the upper surface -offithe track 36. :The platform -84''includes a plurality of-longitudinally spaced stationary 'rolle1'si86,each being-rotatably mounted'transversely between the platform -sides,87,.:;As evident in-FIGURE 1; "the platform 84 and conveyor-13 arepreferably disposed ,onan incline to the horizontal, whereby loaves ofmeat placed on the platparatus. Z'Io retain vthe :loavesron the platform:and "con- Disposed intermediate the blade. 11-. and the end of -theside bar' 88-is:the side guide clamp 17, whichis best s -shown in FIGURE3. f The clamp'17 includes abracket #'8 9 se'cu1ed to the side of:thetra'ck-36; with 'aguide block 91' forming apart of the bracket. Atransversely extending rod 92 -is' slidably disposed through the guideblock 91*, w'ith a clamp plate 93"mountedfon thetinner end-of the rod92." The plate 93 -is pivotally mounted on the-rod 92 by means of a pairofspacedears 94 disposed on=opposed sides0f the rod'ttwith a'sh'aft 96extending through -aligned' bores in thee'a'rs and rod. The plate 93 isthus, adapted for 'pivotalfmovement about an axis.generallyaperpendicularito the track-36. Preferably,- a stop portion-97; is 'provided 'on the' end ,ofsthe rod 92 to limit rotationfofthe;plate- 93,thereby allowing only-the back "end-98 0f-the plate-tdbepiyoted away from the oppos- -ing-guidevbar"18. '"A-s'pring' 99-servesto v urg'e the'plate resiliently into -pofsjitionin 'which the-end'98 ofthe plate 7 '93 is pivoted away 'fromftlies guide bar '18.

Inworder to adjus't'jthe lateral position offthe clamp plate"93relative; to the' opposed 'gu'ide'bar 18, a threaded l ex qnds 'thro'u'gh' a threaded' 'bor'e3102 in the I A'back plate 103 is secured to'theouter end 7 --'ofJthe- -r o 92,j}and"has aborea th'erein through 'whicha "nonethre'faded portion: 'of the shaft 10 1'- extends. A collar"-1045; :provided onithe inner; side -of the: plate 103 to a topplate=k69 is s'ecured-to t-helrod 44 :with a shaft 71 fprevent-iaxial'movementithereof, and a coil spring 106 i being 'rotatably=mounted*on'-theyplate 69.i"-A- lower:poris positioned onthejoutersidefof the'plate 103',the spring tion 72 ofthe shaft 7 Lis'threaded;and'engages a threaded beinginterpo'sed between the plate'fl 03 and :aknob. 107 bore 73in theslidable 'bracketflfig'whereby" rotation ofmounted on'the end of the shaftl'lill. Rotation ofj the the -shaft,-71serves to)movefthe"brackef tvertically; llrn'obthusivaries'the lateralposition of thelclarnpplate I 3 along the rod 44 to'vary'tlespacing.between the cone 1 S'Qjw' e th pring 10o allow 1theth'ickt ness of the loaf 16 to move the clamp plate outwardly againstthe pressure of the spring.

The means for driving the conveyor chains 59 and 61 are generally thesame as the drive means disclosed in the above mentioned patent forincrementally moving the back feed clamp thereof towards the blade. Asegment gear 108 shown in FIGURE 3 preferably is coupled to the maindrive of the slicer mechanism in the same manner as disclosed in theabove patent, and it sufiices here to note that the gear 108 moves backand forth one time for each cycle of the slicer blade 11. Also, asdescribed in the patent, the segment gear 108 engages a pinion gear 109which is coupled to a clutch assembly 111, and a threaded worm 112extends from the clutch. The clutch 111 is adapted to produceunidirectional movement of the worm 112, and accordingly does notproduce rotation of the worm for movement in one direction of thesegment gear. Thus, as described in more detail in the aforesaid patent,when the slicer blade is making its out into the loaf, the segment gearis moving in the direction for which the clutch transmits no rotation tothe worm. When the blade is not cutting into the loaf, the segment gearmoves in the opposite direction, which is productive of an increment ofrotation l in the Worm. A worm gear 113 is adapted to take off the drivefrom the worm, and rotates a shaft 114 which is coupled to the drivesprocket 62 of the bottom conveyor.

The rotation of the shaft 114 is adapted to cause the upper portion orreach of the chain 59 to move in a direction towards the blade 11. Asshown in FIGURE 3, the shaft 114 is journaled in bearings 116, and alsohas a pinion gear 117 mounted thereon for rotation therewith. A housing118 is mounted on the support rods 21 and 22 by means of the blocks 119and 121, with the bearings 116 being generally formed within thehousing. A pair of connecting gears 122 and 123 are also rotatablymounted in the housing 118, and transmit rotation from the gear 117 toanother gear 124. The latter is mounted on a shaft 127 journaled in asecond set of bearings 126 at the top of the housing. A drive shaft 128,by means of universal couplings 129 and 131, transmits rotation from theshaft 126 to the upper drive sprocket 64. In the foregoing manner, thelower portions of the 'upper chain 61 are synchronously driven towardsthe blade 11 with the opposed confronting portions of the chain 59.

.To allow for the lateral movement of the conveyor 13 and 14, asdescribed above, and as provided by rotation of the knob 43, a splinegear arrangement is used. More particularly, as shown in FIGURES 3 and4, a pair of spline gears 132 and 133 are respectively secured to -.theshafts 128 and 114, with the spline gears extending slidably intocomplementary splined bores 134 and 136 in the drive sprockets 62 and64. Thus, as the conveyors are moved laterally relative to the housing118, the spline gears continue to engage and drive the respectivesprockets.

Retention of the end portions of each loaf after they are no longerengaged by the conveyor chains is accomplished in the present inventionby providing an end support arm 137 disposed generally beneath thecutting blade 11, and which is pivotally supported for movement insubstantially the same plane as the blade. As best shown in FIGURE 3,the arm 137 is pivotally mounted on the [frame 12 about a stub shaft138, and has a lever portion 139 to form a bell crank with the arm 137.A link 141 connects at one of its ends to the lever 139, and is securedat its other end to a lever arm 142, the latter being pivotally mountedon the frame 12 about a stub shaft 143. The lever 142 is actuated by acam member 144,

whichis coupled to the main drive of the slicing mechanism, and isadapted to make one full rotation for each cycle of the slicer blade.The cam 144 has a groove 146 provided on its face with an cam roller 147mounted .on the arm 142 being adapted totravel in the groove 146. Whenthe roller 147 is positioned in one portion 148 of the cam groove, theend support arm 137 is disposed in a position below the bottom track 36,as shown in FIGURE 3. When, however, the cam roller is positioned in agenerally opposite portion 149 of the cam groove, the end arm 137 ismaintained in its normal position generally intermediate the top andbottom conveyors, as is generally shown in FIGURE 4. The cam 144 isadapted to cause the arm 137 to move downwardly as the blade 11 movesdownwardly into the loaf, with the arm 137 always remaining spaced belowthe blade. As the blade moves upwardly, so does the arm 137 until itagain assumes its normal position when the blade is no longer in contactwith the loaf.

Operation In operating the feed apparatus of the present invention, aplurality of loaves of meat can be positioned along the platform 84 andbe guided down one after another onto the conveyor 13. The first loaf tobe sliced can be positioned directly between the conveyors 13 and 14,with the pivotable side clampplate 93 allowing ready insertion of theloaf. Rotation of the handle 78 enables proper spacing between the twoconveyors to be obtained, and similarly, the knob 107 can be turned toadjust the correct positioning of the side clamp 17. After the loaf isengaged by the conveyors, the loaf is advanced incrementally into theblade, with each cycle of the blade cutting off another slice andadvancing the loaf another in crement. As noted above, variances inconsistency between loaves of different material may cause the slices ofmeat to fall at different lateral positions. To enable the slices tofall exactly onto any suitable receiving member, the lateral positioningof the conveyors can be adjusted by means of the knob 43.

It will be appreciated that loaves of meat generally do not have auniform thickness or diameter throughout their length. Instead, owing tothe process of hanging the meat while being formed into a loaf, one endof the loaf is often thicker than the other end. The present feedapparatus is adapted to accommodate such variations in size. The topconveyor track 47 is pivotally mounted, and in conjunction with thespaced springs 57 and 58, the top conveyor is enabled to conform to anyslope in the meat as it passes thereunder. Furthermore, the spring 76allows the entire top conveyor to move upwardly relative to the bottomconveyor, as the thicker portion of a loaf passes through the feedapparatus. The side clamp 17 operates in substantially the same manner,with the spring 106 enabling the clamp plate 93 to be moved outwardly asthe thicker end of the loaf engages it. In this manner the conveyorsfirmly grip theloaves from one to the next, without having any slippagefrom an abrupt change in loaf thickness between successive loaves.

When a loaf has been fed almost entirely through the conveyors, there isleft an end portion that cannot be engaged by the conveyor chains. Ifonly one loaf were to be fed into the slicer, such end portion wouldsimply stop progressing into the blade, and remain suspended between theknife elements 79 at the ends of the tracks 36 and 47. However, byfeeding a plurality of loaves continuously into the machine, the leadingend of each loaf pushes the back end portion of the preceding loaftowards the blade. -This alone, however, does not solve the problem.When the end portion is pushed out of engagement with the knife, it hasa tendency to simply fall out from between the conveyor tracks into thepath If this were to occur, the blade would a To remedy the foregoingproblem,ithe end support arm- 137 is provided. This arm serves nofunction while the 1 cutter; an endless conveyormember disposedlongitudi- 31 In combination with aslicing machine having a cuttermounted pa asupport fr'ameg feed apparatus. comprising a generallyelongated firsttrach'member mounted on'said H v V p disposedfadj acentsaid cutter; 70- "and? sprocket rollers andadapted for movementfthereon,

-bulk' of-each loafis being sliced; -althouglrv it continues I 'tooperate 1 with: itsyoscill'atory -movement at all ttim'e's. Whent theleaf comes down toits {end portiom however, *--such portion is pushed upagainst-"the endsupportiarm as V a s'aidwsecond :track;.1sa-id:conveyormembers; having :spaced confronting portions disposedwintermediate: saidsupport .1 tracks, means for; :driving said conveyor; members about a'i-theirz-respective:track members'iwithsaid confronting por- 3-1137twhefebyl it ed' m=,fa11ingrandomlyni to tion szthere'ofrmoving towardssaid eutten an end support 5 the path' 'of the blade. As" the-bladebegins to slice into the end #portion, the arm 137 =moves-: downwardly iwith 'the blade; -alW-ays =remaining spaced Slightly below the J bla'de.-As the'- bladewithdrawsfrom =the -meat,-and the V 'Ebar :pivotallygimoun-tedr 'on said: framea'adj acent :sa'id cutter, ahd-meansfgfor oscillating-said barrin a; planeigenerally iperpendiculara-to'zthei longitudinal; extentnofi sa'id lLIa kS.

:;.4; In aZ-slicingamachine-haying,a :supporttrame, acutnd portieli=is-agairr ad vancedg the arm -l37 -moves up- 7 P10 ester-mounted;onrsaidxfl'ame andzadaptedifor reciprocating -vvardly into itssupporting=positiorr-ito retain again the end portion. F -Inthis-1nanner, substantially the entire lo'af can :be usefiillysliced;with'additional Slices 'o'f me'at thereby being obtained oute-bfeachlo'af over that possi:

:movementthereon-,firom :ge'nerally qupperinoperativeposistion :to arelatively lower; operative;positiomqjand drive i means.-:for;operatingos'aid :eutter': :;bl'ade, .s-feech. apparatus .-:comprising;inscor'nbination, an; elongatedwgenerallwplanar ble with previousarrangements.v It is 'noted, as shown inp ttom track mounted on s'aidframeiand, having-one-end FIGURE 3, thatythe sarm l'37" is preferablyprovided -against the 'end-of the loaf. v a

Animportantfeature of' the =invention is tha't'the feed 'fwith' ridges151 to assure smooth 'movementof theiarm i adjacent s'aidrcutter, ran:elongatedrwgenerally :planaratop r'tracki'in"generally!parallel::spaced'arelationship. withzsaid bottom trackzwandhaving; one. :end adj acentnsaid cutter, tsa'idatwo' tracks-definingagenerally elongatedfeed passage conveying-assembly', including dbottom'con-:;therebetweem azifirstz-ipairz ofmsprocket zqrollersrrotatably-veyors,: is readily removed from themachine for cleaning ormaintenance, To accomplish this, the-*Tknob 43 is' rotated to bring theconveyors" to their furthermos tposition from the housing 118. At thispoint, the spline gears -:mounted adjacent eachtendofisaidabottomztrack; a:second pair: of sprocket crollerssrotatablyrmounted-.=adjacentieach .r-end of saiditoptrack;a-firstmcbnveyor-member'zdisposed tzlongitudinally'; aroundsaidEfirstttrack-rand sprocket rollers 132 'and '133 '-ra11 out ofengagementwiththe drivefitand'adapted fonmovement tthereon;aflsecondgconveyor --spro"ckets. 5 It ist-hennecessary only toloosenthe'wing nuts 37 --whereupon the conveyors are lifted an the machine. vI

1 Whatis claimed is:

- 1; 'ln comhination with a'slicingmachinehaving a cutter 'rnount'edon asupport-fram'elieed apparatus comprising a gener-ally elongated first'trackmember mounted on said frame a'ndhaving-one enddispos'ed adjacentsaid'cut- --ter; an endless conveyor-member disposed" longitudinallymoving towards; said; cuttergian:endi'support zbari-piflotally mounted;on' saidE frame s'adja'centisaid zcutter; and:rmeans for i oscillatinge'saidg'barsin a=plane rgenerally perpendicular vteme longitudinalextentiof-s'aiditracks around said track, a generallyf elon ted secondtrack mam- 52 The: combination ofrclaim 4::fu'rthei' idefineds byt a.-ber mounted onsa'id frame 'and-disposed-in substantially 1 said second't' rack, said conveyor members 'having spacedconfrontingportions?disposed"intermediate said support P a d' otonretrack, :said'i top itrac "tracks; and niean's for driving saidconveyor" members abouttheir respective track-members 'with saidconfronting portions thereof moving'towai ds said' cutter, said firstand *sec'o'n'd track'sbeing mounted"forlateral movement on said tudinalextentof saidtracks.

' -2'1' Incombination with a slicing machinehaving a cut- 7 1 termountedon a's upport frame,'-feeduapparatus comprising a generallyelongated'first track membermounted on "support rod .rnount'edaadjacentvone' siderof ::said-=.bo.ttor'n -'track i and: 1 extending:generally .upwardly:etherefromy, a *bracket i' slidably' mounted on:said rodpmeans rfon selectively positi'oning said :bracket :onesaidrodxat; 'difierent mounted on said bracketLandz movableutherewitlrwhereby th'e height of said'=feed: passage:.mayZbe=selectively' varied,

said) bottom :and: top: 'tracks abeingr mountedi :fon ilaterial z-movementronasaid' framerin a'riirection generally perpen- 6. Thecombination of claim 5 further definedbylsaid top trackubeing pivotally:mounted "substantially;medially of"it's ends" on-said bracketaformovementuaboutiarr axis extending traversely tthroughi said.top:track;;-andcmeans said frameand having one-endidisposed adjacentsaid' "5 resiliently =urgingwsaid-topi tlfackeintor at'normal position 1nallyaround'said track, a ge'ner' 'ally elongated second track Isubstantiallyparallelto said-bottom track.

I 7'. :In a": slicing machine having' asupportframe; a;cutter mountedon=said-frameandvadaptedi afonreciprocating rnovementthereonfromgenerally upperinoperativerposiendless conveyor member disposedlongitudinally aroundi" tiqn to-g arelati-velyzloweroperative:positionyand':drive saidsecond track, saidconveyor members having'spaced confronting portions disposedintermediate said support tracks, and'rmea'ns for -drivingx's' aidconveyor members Y about'their respectivetrackmemberswith saidc'onfronting s means; for operating :said cutter} blade? feed apparatuscomprising, in combinatiom-an elongated 'generallyfplanar "a bottomtrack mounted on S aidf frame' and having one end -adjacent sa'id:cutter; an elongated. generally'iplanar'rtop portions thereof movingtowards s'aid' cutter; one of 'said g fifltrackin';generally;=-parallelspaced:relationship'with :said

' tracks b'eing adjustably positionedonsaidframewhereby 5framegandhaving'one e d V an, endless conveyo member 3 disposedlongitudinally aroundfs aid, track,' a'generally elongateds'e'condtrack'memfl I ber mo'untegl on saidflfr'am'e andgdisposedin'substantially aral'lel spaced relationship; with said first track;afsecond' V :1 'endlessiconveyor m'errib' alisposfed longitudinallyaroundfii'kffiibtally bottom z-traclc and having; one sendadjacent-ksaid:cutter, said tW str'aeks defining a-gener'ally'elongated' feed-passage thereb'etween, a first zpain ofsprocket' rollers-rotatably amounted adjacenteachend of said bottomtrack, a; second perpendicular to the longitudinal extent 65g =pair =offlsproeket rollersiro tatably mounted adjacent each 4 ii -end fo isaid-top track; a firstconveyorwmember disposed "-s-longitudinallyaround i said first trackand sprocket/rollers V andadaptedffo'r"movement thereon, assecon'd conveyor me'mber idisposlongitudinally around 'said' second track said conveyors" hay-ingconfronting ,opposedgportio'ns disvj -posed intermediate said tracks;{means fore-incrementally driving said coiiv yors" With said opposedportionsthereof moving towards aidcutt'e xdrivingflsaid conveyors withsaid opposedportionsithereof' r, an 'end supportinmberspive I aidcutteri and. movable in? a'v plane generally perpendicular to saidtracks, said support member being normally positioned in obstructingrelationship to said feed passage and mounted for reciprocating movementin and out of said obstructing relationship, and means for moving saidsupport member downwardly when said cutter is moved downwardly to itslower position and returning said support member to its upper positionwhen said cutter is moved to its upper position.

8. The combination of claim 7 further defined by opposed knife elementsbeing provided on said bottom and top tracks adjacent the ends thereofproximate said cutter.

9. A slicing machine comprising, in combination, a main support frameincluding a pair of spaced elongated rods, a cutter mounted on saidframe adjacent one end of said rods and adapted for movement in a planeperpendicular to the plane of said rods, a pair of spaced cross barsmounted transversely between said rods, an elongated planar bottom trackremovably mounted on said cross bars substantially parallel to the planeof said rods and adapted for movement on said cross bars in a directiongenerally normal to said rods, said bottom track being longitudinallyaligned with said rods and having one end adjacent said cutter, a pairof bottom roller sprockets rotatably supported adjacent each end of saidtrack for rotation about axes substantially parallel to said cross bars,an endless conveyor member disposed longitudinally around said bottomtrack and sprockets and adapted for movement thereon, an elongatedsupport platform extending longitudinally from the remaining end of saidbottom track and disposed substantially coplanar with the portions ofsaid conveyor on the upper surface of said track, said platformincluding a plurality of longitudinally spaced rotatably mountedrollers, a support rod mounted adjacent one side of the bottom track andextending generally upwardly therefrom, a bracket slidably mounted onsaid support rod and adapted for stationary positioning at differentpositions thereon, means for adjusting the position of said bracket onsaid support rod, an elongated planar top track pivotally mounted onsaid bracket medially of the ends of said top track with the latterbeing disposed generally parallel to said bottom track in confrontingspaced realtionship therewith, said top track being shorter than saidbottom track and having one end coterminous therewith adjacent saidcutter, said top track being movable with said bracket to differentpositions relative to said bottom track, said bottom track, said toptrack being pivotably on said bracket about an axle substantiallyparallel to said cross bars, means resiliently urging said top trackinto a normal position substantially parallel to said bottom track, atop pair of roller sprockets rotatably supported adjacent each end ofsaid top track and rotatably about axes parallel to said cross bars, anendless top conveyor member disposed longitudinally around said toptrack and sprockets and adapted for movement thereon, opposed knifeelements provided on said bottom and top tracks adjacent the coterminousends thereof, means for driving said conveyor members synchronously withthe movement of said cutter to provide an increment of conveyor movementfor each cycle of movement of the cutter, said conveyors having theportions thereof intermediate said tracks moving towards said cutter, apair of spaced side guide bars extending longitudinally along the sidesof said bottom track and mounted thereon, a side guide clamp membermounted on one side of said bottom track adjacent said cutter and inspaced confronting relation to the guide bar on the opposed side of saidbottom track, said clamp member being adapted for selective movementtowards and from said confronting guide bar, said clamp member beingpivotally mounted for movement about an axis substantially perpendicularto said bottom track, and means resiliently urging said clamp membertowards a position generally parallel with said confronting guide bar.

10. The combination of claim 9 further defined by an end support memberpivotally mounted on said frame and movable in a plane generallyparallel to that of said cutter, said support member being disposedbelow said cutter and normally positioned adjacent the coterminous endsof said tracks generally medially thereof, and drive means for movingsaid support member downwardly to a position below said bottom platewhen said cutter moves downwardly to a position obstructing the passagedefined by said two tracks, said end member drive means including alever arm secured to said end member adjacent the pivotal mountingthereof to form a bell crank, a link coupled to said lever arm andadapted to pivot said end member, a second bell crank pivotally mountedon said frame and connected at one end to said link, and a rotatable camengaging the other end of said second bell crank for actuation thereofupon rotation of said cam, said cam being coupled to said cutter drivemeans for synchronous operation therewith.

11. In a slicing machine having a cutter mounted on a support frame,feed apparatus comprising a first endless conveyor mounted on said frameadjacent said cutter, a second endless conveyor mounted on said frameadjacent said cutter and spaced from said first conveyor to define afeed passage intermediate said conveyors, an end support bar pivotallymounted on said frame adjacent said cutter, means for oscillating saidbar in a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal extent ofsaid conveyors, and opposed knife elements provided on said conveyorsadjacent the ends thereof proximate to said cutter.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,060,540 11/ 36Straeten 146-94 X 2,126,458 8/38 Englen 146-94 2,752,968 7/56 Toby et al14694 FOREIGN PATENTS 85,571 8/58 Denmark. 746,692 3/33 France.

I. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A SLICING MACHINE HAVING A CUTTER MOUNTED ON ASUPPORT FRAME, FEED APPARATUS COMPRISING A GENERALLY ELONGATED FIRSTTRACK MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AND HAVING ONE END DISPOSED ADJACENTSAID CUTTER, AN ENDLESS CONVEYOR MEMBER DISPOSED LONGITUDINALLY AROUNDSAID TRACK, A GENERALLY ELONGATED SECOND TRACK MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAIDFRAME AND DISPOSED IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL SPACED RELATIONSHIP WITHSAID FIRST TRACK, A SECOND ENDLESS CONVEYOR MEMBER DISPOSEDLONGITUDINALLY AROUND SAID SECOND TRACK, SAID CONVEYOR MEMBERS HAVINGSPACED CONFRONTING PORTIONS DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE SAID SUPPORT TRACKS,AND MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID CONVEYOR MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR RESPECTIVE TRACKMEMBERS WITH SAID CONFRONTING PORTIONS THEREOF MOVING TOWARDS SAIDCUTTER, SAID FIRST AND SECOND TRACKS BEING MOUNTED FOR LATERAL MOVEMENTON SAID FRAME IN A DIRECTION GENERALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE LONGITUDINALEXTENT OF SAID TRACKS.